N.D. Tiwari accepts Rohit Shekhar as son

Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister N.D. Tiwari Monday finally accepted that a 32-year-old man who had dragged him to court in a paternity suit was indeed his son.

A statement by the 90-year-old Tiwari put an an end to the prolonged legal battle on the issue.

Rohit Shekhar had approached court against Tiwari in 2008, claiming he was born out of an affair between the Congress leader and his mother.

In 2012, Tiwari was forced to give samples of his DNA for a paternity test which established him as Shekhar's biological father.

"I accept him (Rohit Shekhar) as my son. It was already proved two years ago when my DNA matched with his. I am proud of my association with this great family. Whatever it has been, I want to put the matter at rest and publicly accept him as my biological son," Tiwari said.

Reports said that around 11.30 p.m. Sunday, Rohit Shekhar met Tiwari, who hugged him and spoke to him for a long time for the first time in years. The meeting went on till 2.30 a.m.

"I am happy that N.D. Tiwari has finally accepted the fact that I am his son. We would have anyway won the case April 21," Rohit Shekhar said.

The Delhi High Court recently dismissed a plea by Tiwari seeking mediation in the paternity suit.